In this photo from 2004, a sign protesting protesting the 1984 disaster in Bhopal, created by Union Carbide, is displayed outside a building where Dow Chemical shareholders were meeting.

MIDLAND — The Dow Chemical Co. today isn't confirming or denying claims it paid a U.S.-based global intelligence company to collect information on the Yes Men, a group of grassroots activists.

"Major companies are often required to take appropriate action to protect their people and safeguard their facilities around the world from those who would threaten, disrupt and misrepresent the company and its employees," the company said in a release. "Dow takes the obligations to ensure the safety of its people and facilities seriously and will continue to do so within the bounds of the law."

A poisonous cloud of chemicals from an accident at Union Carbide, which Dow bought in 2001, swept over Bhopal, India, in 1984, killing about 4,000 people within a few hours. Lingering effects would eventually kill 15,000.

Since Dow took ownership of Union Carbide, the company has faced scrutiny from the Indian people who say Dow should now be responsible for paying even more, and Bhopal protestors have been known to show up at Dow Chemical shareholder meetings at the company's headquarters in Midland.

"We are strong proponents of free speech and encourage public debate on important issues," Dow said. "However, while we have not yet seen the specific documents in question, the theft of any private documents cannot be condoned."